ISBN 971-92146-2-7

DreamWings Publishing: Iloilo, 2001

 

[from the Preface]

 

This is the last volume of poetry I did before I turned 30. It’s a wonderful clue to my life before the Internet, before bumming in Hollywood, before text phones.

There are 165 shorts in this volume; all were composed at an amazing speed of six Basho-inspired Boracay nights.

Then again, the images and impressions crafted into these three-liners took a great deal of time – my entire youth, in fact – to gather.

But 165! My God, what possessed me to write them all?

This volume was ready by 1998, but I postponed publishing because I wasn’t very sure. The writing process seemed too easy, too effortless, too angst-free.

Anyway, I brought the original manuscript with me to Los Angeles where I read in open mic cafes, developed a following, and even attracted disciples. Amazingly, these shorts were a very convenient springboard for poetic exchanges.

What else can I say? I love these shorts. I hope you enjoy it, too. If not, sorry. Pardon my mentioning the obvious. I just thought that these beautiful images could easily be overlooked.

One last word: the key for the total experience of this volume lies, I think, in letting the heart see what it wants to see.

Trust heart’s logic. It can be magic!

ISBN 971-92146-1-9

DreamWings Publishing: Iloilo, 2000

 

[from the Backcover]

 

Tungod ayhan malaka masalapuan nga naga-upod ang katampad kag kaalam, indi kita mapahamtang kon magtabid sila. “Buang” ang tawag naton sa mga santo, mga profeta, mga mananagna, kag mga mangin-alamon. Apang sa pagkamatuod, may mga tawo nga duna nga maalam kag tampad. May mga tawo nga wala nahadlok magsaysay sang mga sugilanon nga daw indi mapatihan. May mga tawo nga wala nahuya magkabuhi suno sa dikta sang ila tagipusoon kag pagkatawo. Indi sila buang; kundi ayhan, pinasahi gid lamang.

[Perhaps because we seldom see sincerity and intelligence go hand in hand, we are uncomfortable to find them together. We call the saints, the prophets, the visionaries, the philosophers, “crazy.” But in truth, there are people who are, by nature, wise and sincere. There are those who are not afraid to tell incredible stories. There are those who are not ashamed to live out the dictates of their hearts and being. They are not mad; but perhaps, only special.]

ISBN 971-92146-0-0

DreamWings Publishing: Iloilo, 2000

 

[from the Table of Contents]

 

How to Make a Peace Offering * How to Honor the Muse though He May Be Male * How to Deny Authorship of a Book * How to Be a Poet in Times of Tragedy * How to Choose a Lifestyle that Raises Eyebrows * How to Win a Dog Show Competition * How to Flirt without Being Obvious * How to Survive Waiting for the Season of Strawberries * How to Professionally Manage a Heartbreak * How to Love He Who Hates You * How to Claim a Resurrection * How to Be a Stranger and Still Enjoy It * How to Direct Traffic without Breaking Your Heart * How to Babysit Your Boyfriend’s Son * How to Fly like You Were Born with Wings * How to Find Meaning in a Foreign Language Class * How to Kiss a Frog Prince without Flinching * How to Point Out Red to a Colorblind * How to Date a Moron Four Times and Still Not Fall in Love * How to Deal with Non-seconds Materials * How to Rehearse a Blue Christmas in October * How to Be a Trapeze Artist in a Tightrope Society * How to Apply Chemistry in Our Daily Lives * How to Remember the Taste of Strawberries * How to Win the Approval of Your As-if In-laws * How to Concoct a Thousand-years Love-spell * How to Salvage a Potentially Emotionally Catastrophic Afternoon * How to Render Words Useless * How to Calculate the Square Root of a Kiss * How to Wake Up with a Dead Fish

ISBN 971-8967-75-3

Giraffe Books: Quezon City, 1998

 

[from the Preface]

 

This was an easy collection to write. All I needed was a full moon, some stars, the arias of Maria Callas, some flute and violin music, a pair of silk pajamas, and Kabuki make-up to complete my impertinent impersonation of a lover promised with a night of moonshine and kisses.

 

[from the Backcover]

 

There is something beautiful in the exquisite tears of young love, and the heart-rending loneliness of the forbidden affair.

I don’t know why I’m writing down these dreams and messages from the moon, and the fireflies of many years ago.

But somebody said that love is like a mysterious dream. Can it be that I’ve fallen in love?